NRM Vice Chairperson Western Region Baryomunsi Launches NRM Register Update Exercise in Kinkiizi East

By Ivan Kaahwa

The Member of Parliament for Kinkiizi East Kanungu District and Vice Chairperson of Western Uganda, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, convened a meeting with constituents comprising the conference for the constituency. The purpose was to discuss service delivery strategies in general by the party and the scheduled update of the NRM Members register from March 13th to 17th, 2024.

Members who convened are expected to support leaders by mobilizing the people to participate in the Members Register Update exercise launched by Dr. Chris Baryomunsi to have a clean register of NRM Members, which is crucial for identifying flag bearers.

Baryomunsi cited challenges in the last election where the register was not clean, acknowledging that when the time for elections comes, each political party has an internal mechanism for identifying flag bearers vying to contest at various levels of leadership. He says that within NRM, from the District Chairperson to LC1, adult suffrage is used where all members of the party participate in voting for a flag bearer, making it essential to have an updated register to facilitate the process and know the members of the NRM.

The update will ensure clean and well-organized internal elections within the party to promote democratic practice, he elaborated.

Godfrey Karabenda, District NRM Chairperson of Kanungu and Mayor of Kanungu Town Council, says the engagement with the Minister shall enable the district NRM executive, sub county town council executives, chairpersons of the districts, councillors, and registrars to be very relevant in achieving a steadfast registration and update exercise through mobilization of the members to be registered and updated in the books of the party.

The exercise involves registering new members who have turned 18 and cleaning records of those who have passed away. He stated that in Kanungu, there are about 250,000 voters, of which 11,000 are NRM supporters, arguing that those undergoing training for the validation exercise have a significant number which makes NRM stronger than other parties. He cited the absence of active opposition parties, which are no longer a threat to NRM, leaving NRM at 70% in terms of participation in the dispensation of democracy.

He emphasized that registrars have been equipped with necessary information to ensure they are keen while recruiting and entering people in the books, with support from village committees’ recommendations to vet those joining the party.

Magezi Byarugaba, Chairman Movement Kanungu Town Council, commended President Museveni for securing the country’s peace, including traveling freely across the country, acknowledging the realization of a tarmacked road from Kanungu to Kampala. He also commended Dr. Baryomunsi for re-awakening the leaders on their role in the NRM trajectory. Magezi pledged to utilize movement committees at LC1 and LC2 levels to educate members on the importance of structured politics, including supporting Museveni for 2026.

Dr. Baryomunsi observed challenges and concerns raised by the local leaders, including corruption, poor communication, politicization of government programs, and poor leadership relationships among leaders. He pledged to continue with several engagements to reconcile leaders to minimize the disruption of service delivery.

27 councilors, however, had earlier petitioned the government to have the Minister for local government address the issue of unused money, which might be returned to the consolidated account. Karanda Furugensi Kalafe, Councilor for PWDS who is among the petitioners, stated that at least 1 Bn meant for roads is on the verge of being returned to the consolidated fund account due to disagreements among the leaders with interest in getting the tender. These disagreements have stalled the projects in the area, calling for quick intervention.

According to Baryomunsi, another meeting will be held with the top leadership of the district to harmonize their working relationships to prevent compromising service delivery.

@IvanKaahwa via Twitter #IvanKaahwaReports